Wareham to receive $900K in community grants

WAREHAM — Economic development, along with housing rehabilitation and improvement of public services top the town's list for how officials will use $900,000 in 2014 Community Development Block Grants.

CHRISTOPHER SHOTT

WAREHAM — Economic development, along with housing rehabiltation and improvement of public services top the town's list for how officials will use $900,000 in 2014 Community Development Block Grants.

Community & Economic Development Authority Director Salvador Pina told selectmen Tuesday that while he and CEDA board members have devised a preliminary plan for the funds, he was seeking additional guidance from them.

Pina said about $250,000 will be used to operate CEDA operations in Wareham with another $250,000 targeted to improving public services. That leaves an estimated $400,000 in available funds which can be spent for any of several purposes, he said.

Chairman Peter Teitelbaum and Selectmen Alan Slavin and Judith Whiteside all said they preferred to divert substantial funds to housing rehabilitation in the town, which they defined as a critical need. On Pina's recommendation, Teitelbaum said he will seek to have selectmen meet jointly with the CEDA board at its Jan. 6 meeting to further discuss uses for grant funds.

In another matter, selectmen distributed "Spirit of Christmas" awards to six individuals and organizations for significant community service contributions during the past year. Those honored included Charles and Paula Barros, Howard and Claire Smith, Frank and Susan Noonan, Patricia Wilde, Southcoast Hospitals Group and Wareham Elks Lodge #1548.